Perspective or gaze based visual identification and location system

ABSTRACT

A number of illustrative variations may include a method of relative localization via the use of simultaneous location and mapping gear sets.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 15/724,294filed Oct. 4, 2017 which claims the benefit of the U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/487,564 filed Apr. 20, 2017.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field to which the disclosure generally relates to includesaugmented reality systems.

BACKGROUND

Augmented reality systems technologically augment perception of reality.

SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

A number of illustrative variations may include the use of augmentedreality overlays in conjunction with simultaneous location and mapping(SLAM) gear sets to give an augmented reality user a visually intuitivesense of the location of things not limited to objects, locations, orpeople.

Other illustrative variations within the scope of the invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. Itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while disclosing variations of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Select examples of variations within the scope of the invention willbecome more fully understood from the detailed description and theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a three dimensional map of an area to be searched.

FIG. 2 illustrates a virtual point of interest for an object to besearched for.

FIG. 3 illustrates a SLAM gear set user's perspective when visuallyscanning for a virtual waypoint.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partially-completed three dimensional map of anarea to be searched, as produced in real time by two or more SLAM gearset users.

FIG. 5 illustrates a SLAM gear set user's perspective when visuallyscanning for the relative location of another SLAM gear set user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

The following description of the variations is merely illustrative innature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention,its application, or uses.

As used herein, “augmented reality user” may include a “SLAM gear setuser.” Similarly, “SLAM gear set user,” as used herein, may include an“augmented reality user.” In addition, “augmented reality system,” asused herein, may include at least one “SLAM gear set,” and “SLAM gearset” may include at least one “augmented reality system.”

In a number of illustrative variations, an augmented reality system mayuse augmented reality overlays to convey visually intuitiveposition-related information about a thing, being, or point to belocated to an augmented reality user.

In a number of illustrative variations, a SLAM gear set may comprise atransceiver; at least one camera or sensor; a local processing unit;and, an augmented reality display;

In a number of illustrative variations, the augmented reality displaymay be a display means such as but not limited to a projector anddisplay surface, or an electronic monitor or display. In suchillustrative variations, the augmented reality display may be used inconjunction with a first sensor or camera facing a direction that anaugmented reality user will sometimes be facing. In such illustrativevariations any sensors or cameras may be used selectively, and inconcert with software, to dynamically overlay images on a display.

A number of illustrative variations may include detecting an augmentedreality user's gaze or perspective via the use of sensors such as butnot limited to gyroscopes or accelerometers; providing at least onecamera or sensor facing a viewpoint to augmented; using the at least onecamera or sensor to collect data, such as but not limited to images, atleast partially representative of the viewpoint to be augmented; using acontroller to produce viewpoint overlays, in light of the system user'sgaze or perspective, which may be displayed in the augmented realityuser's line of sight via a display medium; and, displaying the imageoverlays in the augmented reality user's line of sight via a displaymedium.

A number of illustrative variations may include detecting an augmentedreality user's gaze or perspective via the use of at least one firstcamera or sensor to collect data regarding the orientation, state, orposition of at least the user's face or eyes, and analyzing the dataregarding the orientation, state, or position of the augmented realityuser's face or eyes to estimate the augmented reality user's gaze orperspective; providing at least one second camera or sensor facing afirst viewpoint to be augmented; using the at least one second camera orsensor to collect data, such as but not limited to images, at leastpartially representative of the first viewpoint to be augmented; using acontroller to produce viewpoint overlays, in light of the augmentedreality user's gaze or perspective and in light of the data collected bythe at least one second camera, which may be displayed in the augmentedreality user's line of sight via a display medium; and, displaying theimage overlays in the augmented reality user's line of sight via adisplay medium.

In a number of illustrative variations, stereoscopic data may becollected by using more than one camera or sensor to collect data.

In a number of illustrative variations, data collected by a sensor maybe of types including but not limited to optical data, distance data,temperature data, or movement data.

A number of illustrative variations may include detecting an augmentedreality user's gaze or perspective via the use of an array of distancesensors, arranged on an apparatus that allows the sensors to move withthe augmented reality user's head or eyes, and analyzing the distancedata collected by the distance sensors in order to determine theaugmented reality user's gaze or perspective, assuming the augmentedreality gear set maintains a constant position.

In a number of illustrative variations, a camera facing an augmentedreality user may be used to detect or estimate the augmented realityuser's gaze or perspective by correlating data including but not limitedto the augmented reality user's face orientation, the augmented realityuser's distance from the camera or display, the augmented reality user'sviewing angle, the augmented reality user's pupil size, the augmentedreality user's line of sight, the augmented reality user's eyeorientation, or the augmented reality user's eye-lid positions.

In a number of illustrative variations, a camera or sensor facing aviewpoint to be augmented may be used in concert with software to detector estimate the colors, texture, and patterns on the objects in thefield of capture of the camera or sensor. In such variations, anyaugmented reality overlays may be adapted in color or appearance toincrease their visibility.

In a number of illustrative variations, a camera facing a direction thatan augmented reality user will sometimes be facing may be used inconjunction with a controller to rapidly capture and analyze images. Insuch illustrative variations analysis may focus on areas of the imagethat have been determined to be areas in which an image overlay to bedisplayed may be placed.

In a number of illustrative variations, a first simultaneous locationand mapping (SLAM) gear set comprising at least one transceiver and atleast one camera or sensor may be used to create a first path map of afirst path, traveled by the first SLAM gear set, from a starting point.A transceiver of the SLAM gear set may be used to transmit the firstpath map to a processing unit and may also send a SLAM gear setidentification to the processing unit. The processing unit may analyzeany received data and determine the location of the first SLAM gear setuser within the first path map. A second SLAM gear set may be used tocreate a second path map of a second path, traveled by the second SLAMgear set, originating from the same starting point as the first SLAMgear set, or a second path at least intersecting the first path. Atransceiver of the second SLAM gear set may also transmit its own,second path map to a processing unit and may also send a second SLAMgear set identification to the processing unit. The processing unitsreceiving data from the first SLAM gear set and the second SLAM gear setmay indeed be the same processing unit, but may also be separateentities. A processing unit may analyze any received data and determinethe location of the second SLAM gear set user within the second pathmap. A processing unit may be used to correlate any received path maps,and determine the relative location of at least the second SLAM gear setto at least the first SLAM gear set, and transmit the relative locationof at least the second SLAM gear set to at least the first SLAM gearset. The camera(s) or sensor(s) of at least the first SLAM gear set maybe used in concert with any number of accelerometers, gyroscopes, orother sensors useful for determining the position and orientation of atleast the first SLAM gear set user's gaze or perspective to generatedata regarding at least the first SLAM gear set's camera(s') orsensor(s') position(s) or orientation(s). A processing unit may then beused to produce data correlating the relative location of at least thesecond SLAM gear set to at least the first SLAM gear set to the dataregarding at least the first SLAM gear set's camera(s') or sensor(s')position(s) or orientation(s). In such an illustrative variation, atleast the first SLAM gear set may be equipped with an augmented realitydisplay. The augmented reality display of at least the first SLAM gearset may then be used to overlay visual data correlating the relativelocation of at least the second SLAM gear set to at least the first SLAMgear set to the data regarding at least the first SLAM gear set'scamera(s') or sensor(s') position(s) or orientation(s) on the first SLAMgear set user's gaze or perspective via at least the first SLAM gearset's augmented reality display.

In a number of illustrative variations, a first simultaneous locationand mapping (SLAM) gear set comprising at least one transceiver; atleast one camera or sensor; and, at least one local processing unit; maybe used to create a first path map of a first path, traveled by thefirst SLAM gear set, from a starting point. A transceiver of the firstSLAM gear set may be used to transmit the first path map to a centralprocessing unit and may also send a first SLAM gear set identificationto the central processing unit. The central processing unit may analyzeany received data and determine the location of the SLAM gear set userwithin the first path map. A second SLAM gear set may be used to createa second path map of a second path, traveled by the second SLAM gearset, originating from the same starting point as the first SLAM gearset, or a second path at least intersecting the first path. Thetransceiver of the second SLAM gear set may also transmit its own,second path map to the central processing unit and may also send asecond SLAM gear set identification to the central processing unit. Thecentral processing unit may analyze any received data and determine thelocation of the second SLAM gear set user within the second path map.The central processing unit may be used to correlate any received pathmaps, and determine the relative location of at least the second SLAMgear set to at least the first SLAM gear set, and transmit the relativelocation of at least the second SLAM gear set to at least the first SLAMgear set. The camera(s) or sensor(s) of at least the first SLAM gear setmay then be used in concert with any number of accelerometers,gyroscopes, or other sensors useful for determining the position andorientation of at least the first SLAM gear set user's gaze orperspective to generate data regarding at least the first SLAM gearset's camera(s') or sensor(s') position(s) or orientation(s). The localprocessing unit of at least the first SLAM gear set may then be used toproduce data correlating the relative location of at least the secondSLAM gear set to at least the first SLAM gear set to the data regardingat least the first SLAM gear set's camera(s') or sensor(s') position(s)or orientation(s). In such illustrative variations, at least the firstSLAM gear set may be equipped with an augmented reality display. Theaugmented reality display of at least the first SLAM gear set may thenbe used to overlay the data correlating the relative location of atleast the second SLAM gear set to at least the first SLAM gear set tothe data regarding at least the first SLAM gear set's camera(s') orsensor(s') position(s) or orientation(s) on the first SLAM gear setuser's gaze or perspective via at least the first SLAM gear set'saugmented reality display.

In a number of illustrative variations, a three-dimensional map of amapped area may not be a to-scale digital rendering of the area beingmapped. For example, if a hallway is being mapped by a SLAM gear set,the three dimensional map of the hallway may not be a to-scale renderingof the hall itself, based upon data collected by the SLAM gear set'scamera(s) or sensor(s).

In a number of illustrative variations, creating a path map of anyparticular path may involve detecting vertical displacement. In suchcases, vertical displacement may be detected by the use of any number ofaccelerometers, altimeter, barometers, gyroscopes, radar, or any otherappropriate sensors or devices for such a purpose.

In a number of illustrative variations, it may be useful to reconcilemultiple paths of multiple SLAM gear set users. As a non-limitingexample, there may be an instance in which the separate paths of twoSLAM gear set users should be level with each other within acomprehensive map, but are not level. A processing unit may reconcilethese paths in any suitable way, such as but not limited to comparativeimage analysis and reconciliation of meta data, or by fitting the pathdata and path map to blueprint data or topographical data.

In some illustrative variations, the method of determining the relativepositions of SLAM gear sets may involve a determination of a SLAM gearset's distance from an absolute reference point or some shared referencepoint other than a shared starting point.

In a number of illustrative variations, a SLAM gear set may be the mostrudimentary implementation of a SLAM gear set that may be used to tracka SLAM gear set's position as the SLAM gear set moves about whiletraversing an area.

In a number of illustrative variations, a SLAM gear set's position maybe determined via the exclusive use, combined use, or supplemental useof global positioning methods such as but not limited to the use of aGlobal Positioning System (GPS) or cell tower triangulation. In suchillustrative variations, the SLAM gear set's global or absolute positionmay be used in determining the SLAM gear set's relative position.

In a number of illustrative variations, an augmented reality display maybe selectively caused to exclude or include certain data from beingoverlaid on the augmented reality display. The selection of what todisplay and what not to display may be achieved by any suitable meanssuch as but not limited to the use of controls in a software applicationthat is configured to communicate with any processing system(s).

In a number of illustrative variations, a map used by or produced by anaugmented reality system may not be three-dimensional.

In a number of illustrative variations, a map used by any processingsystem or augmented reality system may be pre-rendered.

In a number of illustrative variations, a path map may be created usingany SLAM algorithm and suitable sensor(s) or camera(s) available. SomeSLAM algorithms allow for the use of only one camera or light sensor,while some call for a camera and a laser, or an array of lasers ordistance sensors, still other SLAM algorithms use any number of othersensors such as but not limited to gyroscopes or accelerometers. The useof any sensors or cameras necessary for any SLAM algorithm that createsa three-dimensional map from sensor or camera data is suitable for thedisclosed method.

In a number of illustrative variations, visual overlays may be used toaugment a SLAM gear set user's perception by interposing the overlaysbetween the SLAM gear set user's viewpoint and any potential focal pointof the SLAM gear set user's gaze or perspective on a transparent mediumsuch as a window or the windshield via some suitable display method suchas projection. The visual overlays may also be interposed between theSLAM gear set user and any potential focal point of the SLAM gear setuser's gaze or perspective via some non-transparent medium such as adisplay screen.

In a number of illustrative variations, a SLAM gear set user may createor remove points of interest within a map of an area being traversed ormapped. In such illustrative variations, a SLAM gear set user may beable to select which points of interest, within the map, that it wishesto appear on its augmented reality display when traversing the mappedarea. Points of interest may also be automatically generated within themap or self-identifying based on technologies such as but not limited to(Radio-Frequency Identification) RFID, Bluetooth, or wireless internet.

In a number of illustrative variations, points of interest may beattached to a movable thing. In such illustrative variations, if asystem is in place to detect that the movable thing to which the pointof interest is attached has moved, a notice may be generated that thelocation of the movable thing has changed, and that point of interestmust be updated by a user. As a non-limiting example in the context of alibrary, if a point of interest is associated with a particular book viameta data, and an RFID tag is placed in such book and associated withthe book, any time an individual removes the tagged book from the shelfin which the tagged book was placed the tag within the book may besensed by a shelf-end RFID sensor, indicating that the tagged bookassociated with the point of interest has been moved from its originalposition. The RFID sensor reading may then be used by a processing unitto determine that the tagged book, on which the point of interest wasplaced, has been moved, and a notice that the point of interest shouldbe updated by a SLAM gear set user such as a librarian may be generated.

In a number of illustrative variations, the display means maydynamically change the color, arrangement, pattern, shape, or format ofthe visual overlays displayed.

In a number of illustrative variations, the SLAM gear set may be used incombination with any number of methods to reduce mapping anomalies as aresult of particulates, liquids, or partially translucent or partiallyopaque objects, things or phenomenon such as but not limited to frostedglass, airborne dust, fire, smoke, rain, or fog. The SLAM gear set mayuse hardware dedicated particularly for this purpose. Any processingunit may also aide in reducing such anomalies by any number of suitablemeans.

In a number of illustrative variations, the display means may be worn bya SLAM gear set user. Such display means may include but are not limitedto transparent face wear such as glasses or a visor. In a number ofvariations, the display may be worn by a SLAM gear set user but may notbe transparent. Examples include but are not limited to a mask that fitsover the bridge of the nose and contains one or more electronic screensheld in front of the eyes.

In a number of illustrative variations, a central processing unit may beworn by a SLAM gear set user or another individual, or carried by avehicle or any other thing with the ability to move.

Referring now to the illustrative variation shown in FIG. 1, a threedimensional map 101 of an area may exist in memory for a centralprocessing unit 102. In such a variation, certain portions of the threedimensional map may be marked as points of interest 103. The points ofinterest may be labeled, and any SLAM gear set user 104 traversing thearea of the three dimensional map may see the point of interest 103displayed on their augmented reality display 105. For example, if athree dimensional map 101 of a library is initially created using one ofa SLAM gear set 106, and each shelved book is marked and labeled as apoint of interest by a SLAM gear set user 104, or is an automaticallygenerated or self-identifying point of interest, a subsequent SLAM gearset user may simply select a point of interest 103 he or she seeks (forexample: the point of interest “The Good Book”), and scan the SLAM gearset's 106 camera(s) 107 or sensor(s) 108 around the library to cause theSLAM gear set's 106 augmented reality display 105 to show the selectedpoint of interest's 103 position in the library, relative to the SLAMgear set user's 104 position, in a visually intuitive manner.

Referring now to the illustrative variation shown in FIG. 2, a point ofinterest 201 may be set and observed with precision, based upon theperspective or gaze 202 of a SLAM gear set user. For example, a firstSLAM gear set user may place a particular book 203 on a particular shelf204 and set a point of interest 201 on that particular book 203 by usingthe perspective-informed modeling and localizing technology of the SLAMgear set. In such an illustrative variation, the SLAM gear set may beequipped with any number of sensors or cameras that allow the SLAM gearset to detect with fair accuracy the precise point at which the SLAMgear set user is looking when the SLAM gear set user indicates to theSLAM gear set that he or she wishes to place a point of interest 201 onthe object that is the focus of the SLAM gear set user's gaze orperspective. The SLAM gear set user may also create a label 205 for thenewly created point of interest. Data such as but not limited to depthdata, position data, perspective data, and focus data may then beprocessed by the SLAM gear set itself, and represented in any map data,or transmitted via a transceiver of the SLAM gear set to a centralprocessing unit along with any relevant path map data. If the centralprocessing unit is used for compiling a map of the path being traversedby the SLAM gear set user, the central processing unit may include thepoint of interest data in the map data for the path being traversed bythe SLAM gear set user.

Referring now to the illustrative variation shown in FIG. 3, a slam gearset user's perspective or gaze 301 is shown. A SLAM gear set user may beable to see a point of interest 302 in the distance, through any visualobstacles 303 that may obstruct the SLAM gear set user's vision. As theSLAM gear set user's perspective or gaze 301 moves about the area inwhich the point of interest 302 resides, a stationary point of interest302 will stay stationary with respect to the SLAM gear set user. As theSLAM gear set user approaches the point of interest 302, the SLAM gearset user's augmented reality display 304 may re-render the visualoverlay 305 or label 306 for the point of interest 302 in real time andin a manner that indicates in a visually intuitive way that the SLAMgear set user is approaching the point of interest 302. For example, ifthe augmented reality display 304 is of a stereoscopic form (offeringindividual display mediums for each eye), the augmented reality display304 may stereoscopically increase the size of the visual overlay 305 orlabel 306 for the point of interest 302 for each of the SLAM gear user'seyes and individual display mediums as the SLAM gear set user approachesthe point of interest 302, thereby giving the SLAM gear set user avisually intuitive sense of depth regarding the point of interest's 302distance from the SLAM gear set user.

Referring now to the illustrative variation shown in FIG. 4, any numberof SLAM gear set users, including but not limited to a first SLAM gearset user 401 and a second SLAM gear set user 402 may commence scanningan area 403 from any number of locations. A first SLAM gear set user 401may commence scanning an area from a first starting location 415, asecond SLAM gear set user 402 may commence scanning the same area 403from a second starting location 416 or from a shared starting location404. In the illustrative variation shown in FIG. 4, a third SLAM gearset user 405 may also commence scanning the same area 403 from a thirdstarting location 417, or the shared starting location 404. Each SLAMgear set may compile fragments of a three dimensional map of the area403 being mapped, and may transmit those fragments to a centralprocessing unit 406 periodically or in real time. The central processingunit 406 may thus compile a comprehensive three dimensional map 407 fromany number of path maps or path map fragments from any number of SLAMgear sets. In such an illustrative variation, the central processingunit 406 need not determine the absolute position of the first SLAM gearset user 401, second SLAM gear set user 402, or the third SLAM gear setuser 405, but only each user's position relative to one another withinthe comprehensive three dimensional map 407, which may be translated torelative locations in the real world. If the third SLAM gear set user405 traverses an outdoor location 410, any camera(s) 411 or sensor(s)418 comprising the third SLAM gear set 412 that collect data generallybased upon the third SLAM gear set user's 405 perspective or gaze maynot be capable of collecting data that clearly indicates the third SLAMgear set user's 405 path, due to a lack of walls and ceilings outdoors.In this case, a different source of path data (such as but not limitedto a GPS unit 411 or pedometer 414) may be deferred to, in order toallow the central processing unit 406 or the local processing unit 413of the third SLAM gear set 412 to estimate or detect the third SLAM gearset user's 405 path. Additionally, if the central processing unit 406 isable to determine how far the first SLAM gear set user 401 has traveledas well as the particular path of the first SLAM gear set user 401, thecentral processing unit 406 may determine the first SLAM gear set user's401 distance and direction from some reference point, such as the sharedstarting point 404. The central processing unit 406 may use such data todetermine at least the second SLAM gear set user's 402 distance anddirection from the same reference point. From this or other pertinentcalculations or measurements, the central processing unit 406 may thendetermine the directional distance between at least the first SLAM gearset user 401, and the second SLAM gear set user 402. Having determinedthe directional distance between the first SLAM gear set user 401 andthe second SLAM gear set user 402, the central processing unit 406 maythen calculate and transmit perspective-based data regarding the secondSLAM gear set user's 402 position relative to the first SLAM gear setuser 401, as well as the first SLAM gear set user's 401 relativeposition to the second SLAM gear set user 402. An augmented realitydisplay of the first SLAM gear set 409 may display to the first SLAMgear set user 401 information regarding the relative position of thesecond SLAM gear set user 402. Likewise, an augmented reality display ofthe second SLAM gear set 408 may display to the second SLAM gear setuser 402 information regarding the relative position of the first SLAMgear set user 401. In such an illustrative variation, the informationdisplayed on any SLAM gear set user's augmented reality display maychange based upon that SLAM gear set user's perspective.

Referring now to the illustrative variation shown in FIG. 5, a potentialperspective of the second SLAM gear set user 402 from FIG. 4 is shown. ASLAM gear set user may simply peer around itself in order to receivevisually intuitive information regarding the relative position of someother point of interest 501 via an augmented reality display 505. In theillustrative variation shown in FIG. 5, the SLAM gear set user islooking up at ceiling 502. Even though the ceiling occludes clear sightof the point of interest 501, the augmented reality display 505 of theSLAM gear set user has overlaid a visually intuitive overlay 503 andlabel 504 for the point of interest 501 upon the SLAM gear set user'sperspective. In this way the SLAM gear set user may determine theidentity, relative direction and distance of the point of interest 501,even through a visually occlusive obstacle.

The following description of variants is only illustrative ofcomponents, elements, acts, product and methods considered to be withinthe scope of the invention and are not in any way intended to limit suchscope by what is specifically disclosed or not expressly set forth. Thecomponents, elements, acts, product and methods as described herein maybe combined and rearranged other than as expressly described herein andstill are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

Variation 1 may include a method comprising:

providing a first simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) gear setcomprising: a mapping system; a user-perspective determination system;at least one transceiver; an augmented reality display medium; and, atleast one local processing unit.

Variation 2 may include the method of variation 1, further comprising:

providing a second SLAM gear set comprising: a mapping system; auser-perspective determination system; at least one transceiver; anaugmented reality display medium; and, at least one local processingunit;

providing a central processing unit comprising at least one transceiver;

using at least the first SLAM gear set to create a first path map of afirst path from a first starting point;

using at least the second SLAM gear set to create a second path map of asecond path from a second starting point;

using the at least one transceiver of at least the first SLAM gear setto transmit the first path map to the central processing unit;

using the at least one transceiver of at least the second SLAM gear setto transmit the second path map to the central processing unit;

using the central processing unit to correlate the first path map to thesecond path map, to determine a relative location of at least the secondSLAM gear set to at least the first SLAM gear set.

Variation 3 may include the method of variation 2 wherein the methodfurther comprises using the transceiver of the central processing unitto transmit the relative location of at least the second SLAM gear setto at least the first SLAM gear set.

Variation 4 may include the method of variation 1 wherein the methodfurther comprises using the mapping system of the first SLAM gear set,in concert with the user-perspective determination system of the firstSLAM gear set to produce data regarding at least the first SLAM gearset's mapping system's position and orientation and a first SLAM gearset user's perspective.

Variation 5 may include the method of variation 3 wherein the methodfurther comprises using the at least one local processing unit of atleast the first SLAM gear set to produce visual data correlating therelative location of at least the second SLAM gear set to at least thefirst SLAM gear set to the data regarding at least the first SLAM gearset's mapping system's position and orientation and to the first SLAMgear set user's perspective; and,

-   -   using the augmented reality display medium of at least the first        SLAM gear set to display the visual data correlating the        relative location of at least the second SLAM gear set to at        least the first SLAM gear set to the data regarding at least the        first SLAM gear set's mapping system's position and orientation        and to the first SLAM gear set user's perspective.

Variation 6 may include the method of variation 2 wherein at least thefirst path map is three-dimensional.

Variation 7 may include the method of variation 2 wherein the firststarting point and the second starting point are the same geographicalpoint.

Variation 8 may include the method of variation 2 wherein determiningthe relative location of at least the second SLAM gear set to at leastthe first SLAM gear set further comprises the use of GPS or cell towertriangulation.

Variation 9 may include a method comprising:

providing a map of an area to be traversed, comprising at least onepoint of interest;

providing a first simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) gear setcomprising: a mapping system; a user-perspective determination system;at least one transceiver; an augmented reality display medium; and, atleast one local processing unit.

Variation 10 may include the method of variation 9 wherein the methodfurther comprises providing a central processing unit comprising atleast a transceiver;

using the SLAM gear set to create a path map originating from a startingpoint; using the transceiver of the SLAM gear set to transmit the pathmap to the central processing unit;

using the central processing unit to produce relative location data bycorrelating the path of the SLAM gear set to the point of interest.

Variation 11 may include the method of variation 10 wherein the methodfurther comprises using the transceiver of the central processing unitto transmit the relative location data and the at least one point ofinterest to the SLAM gear set;

using the mapping system of the SLAM gear set, in concert with theuser-perspective determination system of the SLAM gear set to generatedata regarding the SLAM gear set's mapping system's position andorientation and a SLAM gear set user's perspective;

using the at least one local processing unit of the SLAM gear set toproduce visual data correlating the relative location of the SLAM gearset to the at least one point of interest to the data regarding the SLAMgear set's mapping system's position and orientation and to the SLAMgear set user's perspective.

Variation 12 may include the method of variation 11 wherein the methodfurther comprises using the augmented reality display medium to overlaythe visual data correlating the relative location of the SLAM gear setto the at least one point of interest and the data regarding at leastthe first SLAM gear set's mapping system's position and orientation andto the SLAM gear set user's perspective.

Variation 13 may include the method of variation 9 wherein the mappingsystem of the SLAM gear set has the ability to create three-dimensionalmaps.

Variation 14 may include the method of variation 9 wherein the SLAM gearset is used to change, create, or delete the at least one point ofinterest.

Variation 15 may include the method of variation 9 wherein the at leastone point of interest is automatically generated.

Variation 16 may include the method of variation 9 wherein the methodfurther comprises providing a central processing unit; and, using the atleast one local processing unit of the SLAM gear set or the centralprocessing unit to cause the at least one point of interest to beincluded or disregarded in the process of producing visual datacorrelating the relative location of the SLAM gear set to the at leastone point of interest to the data regarding the SLAM gear set's mappingsystem's position and orientation and to the SLAM gear set user'sperspective.

Variation 17 may include a method comprising: providing a firstsimultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) gear set comprising: a mappingsystem; and, a user-perspective determination system.

Variation 18 may include the method of variation 17, further comprising:

providing a second SLAM gear set comprising: A mapping system; and, auser-perspective determination system;

using at least the first SLAM gear set to create a first path map of afirst path from a first starting point;

using at least the second SLAM gear set to create a second path map of asecond path from a second starting point;

correlating the first path map to the second path map, to determine arelative location of at least the second SLAM gear set to at least thefirst SLAM gear set;

using the mapping system of the first SLAM gear set, in concert with theuser-perspective determination system of the first SLAM gear set toproduce data regarding at least the first SLAM gear set's mappingsystem's position and orientation and a first SLAM gear set user'sperspective;

correlating the relative location of at least the second SLAM gear setto at least the first SLAM gear set to the data regarding at least thefirst SLAM gear set's mapping system's position and orientation and tothe first SLAM gear set user's perspective; and,

displaying the visual data correlating the relative location of at leastthe second SLAM gear set to at least the first SLAM gear set to the dataregarding at least the first SLAM gear set's mapping system's positionand orientation and to the first SLAM gear set user's perspective via asuitable means of display.

The above description of select variations within the scope of theinvention is merely illustrative in nature and, thus, variations orvariants thereof are not to be regarded as a departure from the spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: providing a firstsimultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) gear set comprising: a mappingsystem; and, a user-perspective determination system; providing a secondSLAM gear set comprising: a mapping system; and, aSLAM-gear-set-perspective determination system; using at least the firstSLAM gear set to create a first path map of a first path from a firststarting point; using at least the second SLAM gear set to create asecond path map of a second path from a second starting point;correlating the first path map to the second path map, to determine arelative location of at least the second SLAM gear set to at least thefirst SLAM gear set.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising usingthe mapping system of the first SLAM gear set, in concert with theSLAM-gear-set-perspective determination system of the first SLAM gearset to produce data regarding at least the first SLAM gear set's mappingsystem's position and orientation and a first SLAM gear set'sperspective.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising: producingvisual data correlating the relative location of at least the secondSLAM gear set to at least the first SLAM gear set to the data regardingat least the first SLAM gear set's mapping system's position andorientation and to the first SLAM gear set's perspective; and,displaying the visual data via a means of display.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first SLAM gear set is not worn by a SLAM gear setuser.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first SLAM gear set iscarried by a vehicle.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the means ofdisplay is in a location remote from the first SLAM gear set.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the first starting point and the secondstarting point are the same geographical point.
 8. The method of claim 1wherein at least the first path map is three-dimensional.
 9. The methodof claim 1 wherein determining the relative location of at least thesecond SLAM gear set to at least the first SLAM gear set furthercomprises the use of GPS or cell tower triangulation.
 10. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the first SLAM gear set comprises a handheld electronicdevice.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the handheld electronicdevice comprises a mobile phone.
 12. The method of claim 5 wherein thefirst SLAM gear set is carried by a vehicle in that the SLAM gear setcomprises the vehicle electronics.
 13. A method comprising: providing afirst simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) gear set comprising: amapping system; a user-perspective determination system; at least onetransceiver; an augmented reality display medium; and, at least onelocal processing unit; providing a central processing unit comprising atleast one transceiver; using at least the first SLAM gear set to createa first path map of a first path from a first starting point; using theat least one transceiver of at least the first SLAM gear set to transmitthe first path map to the central processing unit; and, using thecentral processing unit to correlate a second path map of a second pathfrom a second starting point to the first path map, to determine arelative location of at least the first SLAM gear set to a point on thesecond path map.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the point on thesecond path map is the location of a second SLAM gear set.
 15. Themethod of claim 13 wherein the first starting point and the secondstarting point are the same geographical point.
 16. The method of claim13 wherein determining the relative location of at least the first SLAMgear set to the point on the second path map further comprises the useof GPS or cell tower triangulation.
 17. The method of claim 13 furthercomprising: using the mapping system of the first SLAM gear set, inconcert with the SLAM-gear-set-perspective determination system of thefirst SLAM gear set to produce data regarding at least the first SLAMgear set's mapping system's position and orientation and a first SLAMgear set's perspective; and, producing visual data correlating therelative location of at least the first SLAM gear set to at least thepoint on the second path map to the data regarding at least the firstSLAM gear set's mapping system's position and orientation and to thefirst SLAM gear set's perspective; and, displaying the visual data via ameans of display.